John Walters

Anyone looking to play a challenging game of golf need not look any further than the Oak Harbor Golf Course located in Slidell Louisiana. The course has been open since 1992. The length is 6,261 from the men's tees even further from the professional tees. There is water on twelve of the eighteen holes. Need I even mention the wind?

Grand Champions is another exclusive gated community located outside the city limits of Slidell Louisiana. Many of the homes have golf course views of the Oak Harbor golf course.

In 2007 only one home sold for $334,000. $154 per square foot.

In 2008 three sold. Average price per square foot $139

Price range was a low of $240,000 to a high of $325,000

The lower sale was a repo it appears.Currently there are 9 actives with none under contract.

Mariners Cove is an upscale gated waterfront community

located just outside the city limits of Slidell Louisiana.

In 2007 Six Homes Sold with an average price per square foot of $143.

The range was a high of $540,000 to a low of $305,000

In 2008 Two Homes Sold with an average price per square foot of $146.

The high was $421,000 to a low of $383,000.

Currently there are Six active listings with none under contract or in escrow.

I don't know how many of my fellow citizens received or saw their 2008 property tax bill this year. I live in St. Tammany and I assure you mine went up 300% this year. Before hurricane Katrina I paid a little over $800. My new bill is now over $2200. In this economy where every nickel counts the greedy hand of government wants more of my hard earned dollars.

The homestead exemption for Louisiana is currently $75,000. If they had indexed this to inflation it would be around $150,000. So whats happening is an unfair burden is falling on the working people. My parents are over 65 and they pay only $200 a year. I also don't want to hear business are going to pay an unfair share. A business is just going to pass the cost on to us. At least this way it will get spread out more evenly. Here is a link to the online petition. Please go and sign your name today.

I viewed my property taxes online this week and blew a gasket. In these times when property values at best are holding steady my taxes went from pre-Katrina ($800) to over $2200. I don't know how in the world some people will be able to come up with the extra cash. This is a Republican dominated parish that is supposed to believe in low taxes. I don't think it matter any more what party you belong to.

I wonder what my home is really worth when someone has to pay taxes, flood and homeowners insurance on top of the house note. I don't know if I can sell this house anymore. This is really a problem.

I really don't feel like paying for parish employees retirement at 55 anymore. The old argument was they made less money. I don't believe this holds water anymore over a plain working stiff. I can tell you I wouldn't be looking to move to St. Tammany parish any longer if I was considering a move.